Reef Encounter

Flawless experience. My husband and I are vegans and we’re always anxious about being stuck in a boat with limited food options. There was nothing to worry about here. Reef Encounter was extremely accommodating to us, proving ample and delicious vegan options for all our meals: vegan pancakes, burgers, potato salad, tofu curry, pasta, tofu steaks, non-dairy milk, and more. Our compliments to the chef. The crew was friendly and always helpful. Our guides Liz, Olivia, Gaia, and Manu identified many cool animals during our dives, such as octopi, turtles, many shark species, crabs, shrimps, and dozens of fish, slugs, clams, and other animals. The onboard crew such as Andy, Masha, Adriana, and Gabriela were lovely and always made us feel at home. Can’t wait to be back!

I joined the 3 days / 2 nights liveaboard package and completed my Open Water Diver course during the trip. Overall, it was a very good experience, and I successfully finished the course by the end. I would especially like to recommend David, the dive instructor. He is very patient, explains both the theory and skills clearly, and has his own effective way of teaching. As a student, I felt relaxed and well supported during the whole learning process. I highly recommend him, and I hope it will be possible to request him as an instructor when booking. One small suggestion: one of the instructors whose native language is Spanish was a bit difficult to understand for students whose first language is not English. Sometimes Spanish words were mixed into the explanation, which made it harder to follow. It would be great if the English used during teaching could be a bit more standard and clear for international students. Aside from that, the food, service, and overall care on the boat were excellent. The staff were thoughtful and professional, and most parts of the trip were very well organized. I would still recommend this experience to others.

We spent one night at the Reef Encounter at the Great Barrier Reef and had an incredible time thanks to our diving instructor David. David, Thanks for making our overnight stay at Reef Encounter unforgettable. Your patience and knowledge made all the difference - we had an amazing time diving the Great Barrier Reef and hope to come back very soon😊

Had a great time on the over-night stay. My daughter learned to scuba dive and it was an incredible experience. DAVID was amazing!! He was patient and so knowledgeable. He took his time teaching her and video taping her experience. She is now a scuba fan and can’t wait to get certified. Thank you David for making this trip a memory she will never forget. YOU made this trip so worth it. That staff was great and the food delicious! Beds very comfy and clean. Just bring your own snacks and coffee 😊

Amazing reef & crew, but the boat is a disgrace. We just did a 3-day Reef Encounter trip and the Great Barrier Reef was spectacular, but the boat and management were shockingly bad. The crew and skipper (Matt) were great and did their best, but this ship is decades past its prime and should be retired. Additionally, the floors were so dirty your feet turn black! Beds slant downhill, air-conditioning is freezing cold in the cabins/hall yet nonexistent in the lounge and dining areas, and the sun deck’s metal floor is so hot you can’t walk on it (and you’re not allowed footwear). No soda, no coffee, and limited towels - we learned on the last day they’d had French press coffee for sale the whole time but never told anyone. The transfer and dive operations felt unsafe, and our room was filthy under the bed. Crew were clearly embarrassed by management’s neglect but stayed friendly and professional. Reef: 10/10. Crew: 9/10. Boat & management: 1/10. Gear: 5/10. Until this vessel is replaced or completely rebuilt, avoid Reef Encounter but still enjoy the reef.

We had amazing time exploring Great Barrier Reef on our 3 day reef encounter. Instructors were very helpful and always available to accommodate our needs. Food was pretty good too but condition this boat is in wasn’t good enough. It’s way too old, dirty, visually not appealing at all and should be replaced by something more modern.

What an experience!! Scuba diving on the Great barrier reef was high up on my bucket list. The entire team on Reef Encounter are AWESOME - and it was because of them that my experience was more than I could have imagined! They're kind, joyful, helpful and considerate. What more could you ask for?! A special and MASSIVE thank you to Delaney for her thoughtfulness and professionalism (and patience). She took a great experience and turned it into an amazing experience! I will 100% be back in the very near future, and I cannot recommend this experience enough to anyone who wants to explore one of the great wonders of the world, with a bunch of amazing human beings!